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;
The Dorking Halls was built to house the Festival and opened in 1931;
'Song for a Spring Festival', written by RVW to celebrate the Festival's 50th year, may only be performed at the Festival;
RVW retired as Festival Conductor in 1953, but continued to conduct the St Matthew Passion until 1958;
Whilst living in Dorking, RVW composed works including Serenade to Music, Symphonies 4 - 7 and The Pilgrim's Progress;
RVW conducted the first combined choirs concert at the Festival on 10 May 1905;
The first competition day at the Festival exclusively for children was held in 1921;
In 1934 the BBC broadcast part of the Festival performance of Dream of Gerontius;
The first Festival performance of the St Matthew Passion in 1931 had 800 singers;

Events and tickets

How we are run

The Festival is a Charity registered with the Charities Commission, no. 275176. The objects of the Festival are the study and practice of music in order to foster the public knowledge and appreciation of such music by means of public concerts, the holding of musical competitions and other activities. The full LHMF Constitution is available through the link below.

Members of the Festival are either:

members of participating Member Choirs (not including Youth Choirs, who take part on an ad hoc basis) who have paid the annual singer's entry fee; or

All Members may attend the Annual General Meeting, held in October, which has the power to:

adopt the Annual Report and Accounts (see link below), as required by the Charities Commission

ratify the appointments of honorary President, Vice-Presidents, Conductor, members of the Music Committee and Independent Examiner of the accounts

elect members of the General Committee and of the Executive Committee.

The General Committee is responsible for the overall management of the Festival, with the exception of professional matters decided by the Festival Conductor or Music Committee. It meets three times a year and comprises:

Principal Officers and Trustees

Chairman

Vice-Chairman

Festival Secretary and Organiser

Treasurer

Assistant Officers

Archivist

Assistant Secretary

Assistant Treasurer

Assistant Treasurer (Funds Co-ordinator)

Assistant Treasurer (Gift Aid)

Box Office Manager

Choral Librarians (one for each of the 3 Divisions)

Friends & Patrons Secretary

Fundraising Co-ordinator

Making Music Representative

Orchestra & Soloist Liaison

Press & Publicity Manager

Programme Advertising

Programme Editor (April Festival)

Programme Editor (March Concert)

Trophies and Banners Custodian

Webmaster

Web Assistant (Mailing)

Youth Choirs' Competition Organiser

50:50 Draw Organiser

up to twelve other members, normally a representative of each Member Choir

ex officio, the Conductor (or his or her representative) of each Member Choir

the Vice-Presidents of the Festival.

The Executive Committee, a sub-committee of the General Committee, has devolved powers for the day-to-day management of the Festival, meets as required (approximately monthly) and comprises: